Tickets on sale for Catch The Vision

October 26, 2012

Tickets are on sale now for Catch The Vision, an event that examines Cape Coral real estate, construction and development for the upcoming year.

Hosted by Raso Realty and others, Catch The Vision will run from 5-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Cape Coral First Baptist Church. There will be a trade show with more than a dozen local businesses, and the presentations begin at 6:15 p.m.

Gloria Tate, who helped organize the event, explained that similar activities were held every year in the Cape prior to the real estate collapse. After the burst and downturn in the economy, there was little positive news to share.

"But things are looking bright," she said. "We're on our way back."

People are buying and building again in the city.

"Our numbers are up all across the board," Tate said.

Fact Box

Catvh The Vision vendros

ABC Pest Control

Allstate Insurance

Arthur Printing

Brian Harmon Images

Family Hardware

Hampton Inn

Java D'Oro Coffee Roasters

John Michael's Jewelers

Liberty Tax Service

Razzle Dazzle

Red Star Tech Support

Siesta Pebble Inc.

Tony's Lawn and Landscaping

Tuffy Auto

Catch The Vision will feature presentations on a variety of topics. A representative from the city will talk about the Pine Island Road widening project, and plans for a vertical commercial building will be discussed.

Two or three presentations will showcase new developments, while the impact of the European and Canadian markets in the Cape is another topic.

"What that means in terms of dollars and cents," she said.

New construction will be another highlight, as new aerial photographs were taken of the city to show growth. Other audio and visual aids will be used.

"A lot of good information on what will be happening in the city," Tate said.

Though the event may appeal to those in real estate, it is for everyone.

"It's a lot of information people will want to take with them," she said.

The trade show vendors are local businesses that have been in existence for 10 to 20 years. The owners will be on hand to meet and talk to attendees.

"These are all people that were hit really hard," Tate said. "They survived the real bad years when everything went down."

Visitors get a free goodie bag with coupons for discounts or free services from the businesses. Vendors will also register people for door prizes.

Tickets cost $5 per person, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Cape Coral Caring Center. According to Tate, at least half of the ticket price will go toward the center, and whatever is leftover after expenses will too.

Attendees are also asked to bring a canned food item for the center.

As of Thursday, approximately 100 tickets had been sold.

"We're just starting to get everything going," she said. "We want 1,000."

Tickets will be available at the door, but advance purchase is preferred.

"We would like to have it sooner so we can plan," Tate said.

Refreshments will be available for visitors.

"I think what's really important is that everyone who lives here is a stakeholder in your community," she said.

"I think it's important for every resident to know what's coming next," Tate said. "This, you'll walk away with information in your hand that you can use."

Cape Coral First Baptist Church is at 4117 Coronado Parkway.

For additional information on tickets or vendor space, call Tate or Linda Biondi at 542-2254. People can also contact Tate at 851-6324 or gloria@rasorealty.com, or Biondi at 246-1157 or linda@rasorealty.com.